Media Kit

Media Kit

This media kit is designed to assist journalists in reporting information about sexual violence. We encourage reporters to familiarize themselves with the material as they educate the public on the impact that sexual violence has on our community and the resources available at the Center.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this resource or if you would like to request an interview, please contact Gentry Hodnett, our Development and Communications Director at 919-968-4647 or gentry@ocrcc.org.

Facts About Sexual Violence:

Definition: Sexual violence is forcing a person into sexual compliance or any sexual activity committed against a person without their active consent. It includes any type of unwanted sexual contact. Sexual violence includes rape, assault, harassment, stalking, trafficking, catcalling, the non-consensual sharing of private images (such as “revenge porn”), and more.

Sexual violence is rampant in our society: 1 in 5 women in the US have experienced rape or attempted rape some time in their lives; it can happen to anyone- regardless of race, gender, age, socio-economic status.

In 8 out of 10 rape cases, the victim knew the person who sexually assaulted them. People who sexually abuse can be family members, friends, romantic partners, or other trusted individuals (teachers, priests, coaches, physicians). They may use coercion, manipulation, threats, or force to commit sexual violence

Nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced sexual violence other than rape in their lifetime.

By the time people were 17 years old, 57% of women and 42% of men had experienced some form of sexual abuse.

Rape is the most under-reported crime; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police.

Despite misconceptions, the prevalence of false reporting for sexual assault crimes is low – between 2% and 10%.

46% of lesbians, 74% of bisexual women, 43% of heterosexual women, 40% of gay men, 47% of bisexual men, and 20% of heterosexual men have reported experiencing sexual violence other than rape during their lifetimes.

Only 48% of men view verbal harassment as sexual assault, and only 67% of men say “sexual intercourse where one of the partners is pressured to give their consent” is sexual assault.

Victims are never to blame. It doesn’t matter what someone was wearing, how they were acting, if they were drinking, or what type of relationship they had with the person who abused them.

Sexual assault is often not reported. A person may not report what happened for many reasons, including: concerns they won’t be believed, shame or fear of being blamed, fear of retaliation, distrust of law enforcement or judicial system, or pressure from others, for example.

Healing and justice look different for every survivor. A survivor may or may not choose to move forward with the criminal justice system. Healing is an ongoing process. Everyone heals in their own time and in their own way.

Common results of sexual violence:

Flashbacks/intrusive memories

Anger

Guilt, shame, and self-blame

Grieving

Lack of trust in others

PTSD

Mood Swings

Unhealthy coping skills, such as drug abuse and other self-injurious behaviors

Feelings of isolation

Concerns around sexuality and sexual relationships

Depression

Anxiety

Sleep disturbances

Dissociation

Disordered eating

Physiological stress reactions

Sense of helplessness

Tips for Journalists:

Interview a broad range of subjects.

A wide range of stakeholders has a role in preventing sexual violence. Seek out a diverse pool of sources, including law enforcement, community members, medical and mental health professionals, sexual violence prevention advocates, other survivors, families, and perpetrators. Expanding sources is important given most sexual violence incidents are never reported to the police.

Report on the full spectrum of sexual violence & range of people affected.

Thanks to #MeToo, more Americans than ever are aware that sexual violence is a broad term that encompasses more than intercourse without consent. In addition to featuring stories on workplace sexual harassment, explore stories involving all forms of sexual assault, including physically threatening or otherwise inappropriate verbal remarks, voyeurism, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

Address diversity by including the range of people who are assaulted, who commit sexual violence, or who are otherwise affected by sexual violence. For example, think about survivors across the lifespan, survivors of color, male survivors, LGBTQ survivors, and other underrepresented voices.

Discuss prevention efforts to underscore that sexual violence is not inevitable.

Writing about solutions, especially prevention strategies, can help shift perceptions of sexual violence from risky, random inevitabilities to a focus on rates, prevention, and causes of violence.

Ask questions such as: How is the community working to prevent violence? Is it effective? What do stakeholders think should be done? What would make those strategies work? Provide references to concrete and context-specific examples of programs, policies, and other measures.

Describe the consequences of sexual assault & resiliency of those who live through it.

Discuss the consequences of sexual assault on victims, families, perpetrators, and communities. Help the audience see beyond criminal justice and understand that sexual violence is also a public health and social justice issue.

Highlight resilience and healing among survivors to avoid perpetuating the myth that sexual violence irrevocably ruins the lives of those who experience it.

Provide Resources in addition to news.

Provide readers with a call to action and resources to seek more information, such as hotlines, warning signs, and support groups.

About the Orange County Rape Crisis Center:

The Orange County Rape Crisis Center is an important local resource for survivors of sexual violence as well as their loved ones, and community organizations who share in the organization’s mission to end sexual violence and its impact in our community. The OCRCC provides a wide range of free and confidential trauma-informed services, including therapy, legal advocacy, Latino services, school programs, community education, support groups, a 24-hour Help Line and more. Anyone who feels like they could benefit from services at OCRCC is encouraged to give them a call or visit their website at ocrcc.org for more information.

To request an interview with a member of our Speaker’s Bureau or for more information, please contact Gentry Hodnett, our Development and Communications Director at 919-968-4647 or gentry@ocrcc.org.

Remember, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an opportunity for informed news coverage to advance the public conversation on the myriad issues of sexual violence in our community. The Center coordinates numerous newsworthy events and activities during April. Please contact us for more information.